Membrane Coupling in a Compact Design

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a membrane-type coupling comprising an input flange and an output flange which are interconnected via membrane packs in order to transmit torque in such a way that an input membrane pack is braced to the input flange, two output membrane packs that are connected in parallel are braced to the output flange, and the membrane packs are braced to one another with the aid of a clamping set composed of clamping rings. In order to reduce the volume and weight of such a membrane-type coupling, the input membrane pack is disposed between the two output membrane packs.

The present innovation relates to a membrane coupling having an input flange and having an output flange, which are connected with one another for the purpose of transferring torque, by way of membrane packs, in such a manner that an input membrane pack is braced relative to the input flange, that two output membrane packs that are switched in parallel are braced relative to the output flange, and that the membrane packs are braced relative to one another by means of a bracing set composed of clamping rings.

U.S. 4,492,583 A discloses a coupling that is composed of two membrane couplings of the present type, coupled by way of a hollow shaft.

The purpose of such a membrane coupling is the transfer of torque between machine elements that are subject to great variations in alignment, while maintaining a precise angle.

A disadvantage of the previously known membrane coupling is its relatively large construction space. This is due to the fact that the membrane packs, which are switched in series, in other words the input membrane pack and the two output membrane packs that are switched in parallel, are disposed one behind the other in the axial direction, between the flanges. This has the result that the bracing set extends almost completely over the entire axial length of the membrane coupling, and consequently makes up a significant part of the coupling mass.

It is the task of the present innovation to reconfigure a membrane coupling of the type stated initially, in such a manner that it takes up a more compact construction space and, at the same time, its weight is reduced.

This is achieved in that the input membrane pack is disposed between the two output membrane packs.

A fundamental idea of the present innovation consists of nesting the force flow between the flanges. Accordingly, the input membrane pack is disposed approximately in the plane of symmetry between the coupling halves, and one output membrane pack, in each instance, is disposed between the centrally disposed input membrane pack and a flange. The force flow flows from the input shaft, by way of the input membrane pack, into the bracing set. Here, it divides up between the two output membrane packs, which are switched in parallel, and flows off into the output flange on both sides of the plane of symmetry.

Furthermore, a constellation of the components that is symmetrical to a high degree is achieved by means of the arrangement of the membrane packs according to the innovation. This constellation contributes to increasing the quiet running of the coupling, and to balancing out great offset between the coupling halves.

A preferred further development of the membrane coupling consists of the characteristics (a) to (e) of claim 2. This attachment technique allows a load transfer that is almost free of bending moment and lateral forces even when there are great alignment errors between the flanges. This advantage is achieved in that the pin/sleeve arrangements of a flange can transfer forces only to the membrane pack, which they have to connect with the coupling half, in each instance, in any case. Since the pin/sleeve arrangements of a first type, for example, do not enter into contact with the output membrane packs, it is assured that the force flow flows into the bracing set completely by way of the input membrane pack. Break-throughs for the pin/sleeve arrangements can be made not just in the membrane packs, but also in the flanges.

It is practical if the break-throughs in the membrane packs are configured as bores whose diameters are greater than the diameters of the pin/sleeve arrangements. The tensions in the region of the break-throughs are reduced by means of these measures, and the durability of the coupling is thereby increased.

Furthermore, the axial thickness of the bracing set can be dimensioned in such a manner that it corresponds to the axial distance between the flanges. The installation length of the membrane coupling is further reduced as the result of this measure. A different dimensioning of the bracing set is also possible.

The radial expanse of the membrane coupling can be reduced, however, in that the bracing set pin diameter, the perforated circle diameter, and the diameter on which the pin/sleeve arrangements are disposed are dimensioned in such a manner as proposed in claim 5.

The present innovation will now be explained using an exemplary embodiment. For this purpose, the figures show:

FIG. 1: membrane coupling in longitudinal cross-section;

FIG. 2: membrane coupling in a frontal view;

FIG. 3: like FIG. 1, but enlarged.

The membrane coupling, as a whole, is designated with the reference symbol 0. It comprises an input flange 1 and an output flange 2. The flanges 1, 2 are provided with an input perforated circle 3 and an output perforated circle 4, respectively, by way of which the membrane coupling 0 can be coupled to machine elements of a drive train that are disposed ahead of or following it. The two perforated circles 3, 4 are concentric when the flanges are aligned. In the exemplary embodiment, the two perforated circles 3, 4 have the same diameter D_(L). For certain purposes of use, it is also possible to provide perforated circles 3, 4 with different diameters D_(L). Pin/sleeve arrangements of a first type 5 are disposed on a greater diameter

A pin/sleeve arrangement of a first type 5 comprises a screw 5 a, two sleeves 5 b, a nut 5 c, and a washer 5 d. An input membrane pack 6 is braced relative to the input flange 1 by means of the pin/sleeve arrangement of a first type 5. The input membrane pack 6 consists of a layering of ring-shaped spring washers. The introduction of force into the input membrane pack 6 takes place by way of the sleeves 5 b of the pin/sleeve arrangement of a first type 5, in each instance, between which the input membrane pack 6 is braced.

In similar manner, two output membrane packs 7 a, 7 b are braced relative to the output flange 2 by way of pin/sleeve arrangements of a second type 8. The pin/sleeve arrangement of a second type 8 comprise a screw 8 a, three sleeves 8 b, a nut 8 c, and a washer 8 d. The output membrane packs 7 a, 7 b are braced between the sleeves 8 b of the pin/sleeve arrangement of a second type 8. In this connection, the three sleeves 8 b also assume the function of spacers, which position the output membrane packs 7 a, 7 b in the desired axial orientation within the membrane coupling 0. The pin/sleeve arrangement of a second type 8 are disposed on the same diameter the D_(BH) as the pin/sleeve arrangements of a first type 5. In the circumference direction of the diameter D_(BH), the pin/sleeve arrangements 5, 8 are alternately disposed on the diameter D_(BH); this is particularly evident in FIG. 2.

The membrane packs 6, 7 are braced relative to one another by way of a bracing set 9. The latter comprises a plurality of clamping rings 9 a that are placed between the membrane packs 6, 7 and space the latter apart in the axial direction, relative to one another, similar to the sleeves 5 b, 8 b. The clamping rings 9 a are braced against bracing set nuts 9 c by way of a plurality of bracing set pins 9 b. The bracing set pins 9 b are disposed on the bracing set pin diameter D_(S). For the diameters already mentioned, the following applies: D_(S)<D_(L)≦D_(BH). The axial thickness of the bracing set S corresponds to the axial distance between the flanges 1, 2 in the present exemplary embodiment.

The input membrane pack 6 has circular break-throughs of a first type 10 that are disposed on the diameter D_(BH) coaxial to the pin/sleeve arrangements of a second type 8. The diameter D_(D) of the break-throughs exceeds the outside diameter D_(A) of the pin/sleeve arrangement of a second type 8, so that when the flanges are aligned, the pin/sleeve arrangement of a second type 8 extend through the break-throughs of the first type 10, without entering into contact with the input membrane pack 6. Since the diameter of the break-throughs D_(D) is dimensioned generously as compared with the outside diameters of the sleeves D_(A), no undesirable transfer of force occurs between the input membrane pack 6 and the pin/sleeve arrangements of a second type 8 even if there is a great deviation in alignment between the coupling halves. In analogous manner, the output membrane packs 7 a, 7 b are provided with break-throughs of a second type 11, through which the pin/sleeve arrangements of a first type 5 pass without transfer of force. 

1-5. (canceled)
 6. Membrane coupling (0) having an input flange (1) and having an output flange (2), which are connected with one another for the purpose of transferring torque, by way of membrane packs (6, 7 a, 7 b), in such a manner that an input membrane pack (6) is braced relative to the input flange (1), that two output membrane packs (7 a, 7 b) that are switched in parallel are braced relative to the output flange (2), and that the membrane packs (6, 7 a, 7 b) are braced relative to one another by means of a bracing set (9) composed of clamping rings (9 a), whereby the input membrane pack (6) is disposed between the two output membrane packs (7 a, 7 b) wherein a) the input membrane pack (6) is braced relative to the input flange (1) by way of pin/sleeve arrangements of a first type (5), b) that the output membrane packs (7 a, 7 b) are braced relative to the output flange (2) by way of pin/sleeve arrangements of a second type (8), c) that the pin/sleeve arrangements of both types (5, 8) are disposed on a common diameter (D_(BH)), alternating in the circumference direction, d) that the input membrane pack (6) has break-throughs of a first type (10), which are disposed on the diameter (D_(BH)) of the pin/sleeve arrangements (5, 8), and through which the pin/sleeve arrangements of a second type (8) extend axially, without entering into contact with the input membrane pack (6) when the flanges (1, 2) are aligned, e) and that the output membrane packs (7 a, 7 b) have break-throughs of a second type (11), which are disposed on the diameter (D_(BH)) of the pin/sleeve arrangements (5, 8), and through which the pin/sleeve arrangements of a first type (8) extend axially, without entering into contact with the output membrane packs (7, 8) when the flanges (1, 2) are aligned.
 7. Membrane coupling according to claim 6, wherein the break-throughs of both types (10, 11) are bores whose diameters (D_(D)) are greater than the outside diameters (D_(A)) of the individual pin/sleeve arrangements (5, 8).
 8. Membrane coupling according to claim 6, wherein the axial thickness (S) of the bracing set (9) corresponds to the axial distance between the flanges (1, 2).
 9. Membrane coupling according to claim 6, wherein a) the bracing set (9) comprises a plurality of bracing set pins (9 b) that are disposed on a bracing set pin diameter (D_(S)), b) that the flanges (1, 2) have a perforated circle (3, 4), in each instance, by way of which the membrane coupling (0) can be coupled with machine elements that are disposed ahead of or following it, c) and that the bracing set pin diameter (D_(S)) is less than the perforated circle diameter (D_(L)) and this in turn is less than/equal to the diameter (D_(BH)) on which the pin/sleeve arrangements (5, 8) are disposed. 